OSCE Chairman congratulates Al Gore, UN climate panel on winning Nobel Peace Prize

MADRID, 13 October 2007 - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, congratulated former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change today on winning the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

"The Nobel Committee's choice highlights the importance of the environment and climate change for security," Minister Moratinos said. "The environment has been part of the OSCE's concept of security since the Organization's inception, and we are working actively with our partners, including the UN, in this field."

Environmental matters will be on the agenda as foreign ministers and other top officials from the 56 OSCE participating States gather November 29-30 in Madrid for the OSCE Ministerial Council, he noted.

"No country alone can resolve the environmental challenges we face today," the Chairman-in-Office said. "Only through co-operation can our efforts have an impact. The Nobel Peace Prize clearly recognizes this, and I congratulate the joint winners. I am happy that the OSCE is part of this global effort."